Coffee Region itineraries: 3, 5 and 7 days

Before you start

Distances are short, but the roads are mountainous: Armenia to Salento is 21 km and Armenia to Pereira 48 km. Many experiences include transport from your hotel.

For hikes and birdwatching, mornings are usually the best time; save the afternoons for coffee, the towns or the hot springs.

3 days: the essentials

Day 1: a coffee farm visit and a tour of Filandia.

Day 2: the Cocora Valley and Salento.

Day 3: Parque del Café if you are travelling with family, or the hot springs in Santa Rosa de Cabal if you want to relax.

Coffee farm visit4 hFrom seed to cup on a traditional farm, with an origin coffee tasting. Filandia Tour4 hThe heritage town, its viewpoint and the master basket-weavers. Cocora Valley & Salento Tour7 hThe world's tallest wax palms and the most colourful town in Quindío.

5 days: coffee, nature and towns

Days 1 to 3: the 3-day itinerary.

Day 4: nature your way: the trek to Acaime, the house of the hummingbirds, in the Cocora Valley, or a birdwatching outing at dawn.

Day 5: the lesser-known Quindío, with the full day through Córdoba, Pijao and Buenavista, or a day with a farming family.

Cocora Valley Trek: Acaime, home of the hummingbirds6 hTrek to Cocora Valley and Acaime, a hummingbird refuge among giant palms. Birdwatching and bird photography for enthusiasts2 hColombia, world #1 for birds: toucans, tanagers and dozens of hummingbirds. Hands-on tour: Farmer for a Day8 hExperience a day of rural life: milking, the vegetable garden, wood-fire cooking and country traditions.

7 days: the Coffee Region in depth

Days 1 to 5: the 5-day itinerary.

Day 6: Pereira and the nature of Risaralda: the Otún Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary or Bioparque Ukumarí.

Day 7: Manizales, with views of the Nevado del Ruiz, or a day of rest at the hot springs.

Nature reserves · Otún Quimbaya6 hThe protected forest of the Cauca Guan, near Pereira. Bioparque Ukumarí4 hOne of Latin America's most modern bio-parks, with wildlife from several continents. City tour of Manizales4 hCathedral, cable car and mountain architecture of this welcoming city.

If you're travelling with family

Swap a hiking day for a theme park: Parque del Café, PANACA or Parque Los Arrieros. Countryside experiences, such as the fruit tour or the cacao tour, are ideal for ages 4 to 80.

Parque del Café7 hThe Coffee Region's flagship theme park: culture, rides and coffee. PANACA7 hThe largest agricultural nature park: animals and live shows. Fruit Tour (pineapple, guava or citrus)4 hDiscover and taste the exotic fruits of tropical Colombia straight from the orchard.

Where to stay

Salento and Filandia keep you close to the Cocora Valley; Armenia and Pereira have more services and airports; a coffee farm is the most traditional experience. From any of these bases you can reach almost everything on a day trip.

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